TOWNSEND, TN – Gary L. Cox, age 76, of Townsend, TN, passed away on Saturday, August 26, 2023.

Gary was born on April 22, 1947, in Ottawa, IL, only child to Elizabeth K. (Pomatto) and Luther H. Cox. Gary grew up in the small Illinois town of Marseilles and was very active in baseball, basketball, and track and field. He was salutatorian of his graduating class at Marseilles High School in 1965. He married Sharon Tedford on December 27, 1966, when they were sophomores at Harding University. He went on to graduate from Illinois State University with a bachelor’s degree in biology, and obtained a master’s degree in finance. Gary was in the United States Army National Guard for 15 years, retiring as a company commander and captain. He ran his own financial planning business in Portland, ME, for over 20 years, retiring to Tennessee with Sharon in 2009. Gary and Sharon were avid travelers, and visited most European countries and much of Canada and the U.S. He loved to hunt, study history, and watch sports especially the Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears, and the New York Yankees. Gary was a member of the Maryville Church of Christ in Maryville, TN.

Gary is survived by his wife of 56 years, Sharon, daughter Kimberly (Ralph) Brown of Elkland, PA; three grandchildren Morgan (Ryan) Bahney of Athens, AL, Cody (Shannon) Brown of Luther, OK, and Mitchell (Jennifer) Brown of Elkland, PA; two great-grandchildren Graison Bahney and Thistle Brown.

There will be a visitation at 10 a.m. and funeral at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 2 at Harre Funeral Home in McLeansboro, IL. There will also be a memorial service on Saturday, Sept. 9, at 2 p.m. at Maryville Church of Christ in Maryville, TN. In lieu of flowers, the family is directing donations to be made to World English Institute, c/o Maryville Church of Christ, P.O. Box 5293, Maryville, TN 37802.